Downsize Your Life With a Capsule Wardrobe
Living sustainably helps reduce environmental impact, with overproduction of clothing being a major contributor. By embracing minimalism and a capsule wardrobe, you can streamline your style, consume less, and make a positive change for both the planet and your life. Integrating Feng Shui, Vastra Sutra, and other holistic practices can enhance flow and bring more abundance into your life.
What is a Capsule Wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe, or eco wardrobe, consists of classic clothing items that you can wear interchangeably to create versatile looks with just a few key pieces. Here is some more information about the origins and principles of a capsule wardrobe.
- Origins: The concept of a capsule wardrobe came about in the 1970s when a boutique owner used the term to describe a few basic items that can be mixed and matched. The term became even more popular in the 1980s when designer Donna Karan made the term popular through her capsule collection of stylish workwear for women.
- Holistic beliefs: Having a capsule wardrobe involves incorporating holistic beliefs such as Feng Shui and Vasta Sutra. The idea of having less ensures that you focus on the bigger picture in life and that you achieve a balance in all things. Having fewer clothing items can expand your horizons and free up your mind to focus on more important aspects of life.
- Sustainability: Having a closet jam-packed with clothing contributes to the fast fashion industry, which can have devastating effects on the environment. By choosing a capsule wardrobe, you’re decreasing your consumption and reducing the demand for these businesses to continue practices that cause serious harm to the ecosystem.
You may think that living a minimalist lifestyle and having a capsule wardrobe are one and the same. However, that is not always the case. You can go minimalist without having a capsule wardrobe and vice versa. Not all minimalists have a capsule wardrobe, and many have closets full of shoes, clothing, and accessories. You can practice both of these principles, but the two are not mutually exclusive or interchangeable.
The Benefits of Creating a Capsule Wardrobe
There are many reasons why you should consider creating a capsule wardrobe. Here are some of the benefits you’ll gain by revamping your closet.
- Economic benefits. A capsule wardrobe uses versatile pieces for year-round wear, saving money for other priorities.
- Sustainability. Buying less reduces landfill waste and the environmental impact of clothing manufacturing.
- Flow of energies. A capsule wardrobe brings balance by decluttering your closet, reducing stress, and freeing your mind.
What To Do Before Creating a Capsule Wardrobe
Before you create a capsule wardrobe, you’ll need to clean out and declutter your closet. It’s important to determine which items you want to keep and which ones can go before building the capsule from the ground up. Determine your unique fashion style, which will serve as the template for your new capsule wardrobe and make it easier to choose the most essential pieces.
Finding Your Personal Fashion Style
Before you start changing your closet space, it’s important to determine your personal fashion style. First, think about the clothing you wear the most and why it makes you feel good
whenever you wear it. Then, look online for inspiration and put together a mood board that will help you get a clearer idea of which styles are suitable for you. Always start with key pieces like bottoms, then work your way toward choosing other clothing items that complement your personality and your body type. While style is certainly important, so is how the clothes fit you and how they make you feel. If you feel comfortable and confident, then you’re well on your way to deciding which style is right for you.
Purging and Decluttering Your Old Clothes
The minimalist style follows the mantra of only keeping the things that spark joy for you. While this is part of the decluttering process, it’s important to know what to do with all of the clothing once you’re ready to get rid of it. So here’s what you can do with all that clutter.
- Give it away. Donate gently used clothing to friends, family, or local nonprofits like shelters and thrift stores.
- Repurpose. Upcycle old clothes into home décor, furniture upholstery, or cleaning cloths.
- Sell. Turn valuable clothes into extra cash by selling online or hosting a garage sale.
Renovating your Wardrobe and Turning it into a Capsule Wardrobe
Here are some tips to help you renovate your wardrobe so you can transform it into a clean, tidy capsule wardrobe.
- How many clothing items do I really need? Start by assessing how many clothing items you truly need and wear. Consider the Project 333 Challenge, which involves selecting 33 items, including accessories, for three months. This will help you realize you need fewer items, making it easier to create your capsule wardrobe.
- Decide on a budget. Sit down and write out a clothing budget and commit yourself to only spending money on the clothing items you need.
- Capsule wardrobe essentials checklist. A capsule wardrobe should include essentials like a white and black t-shirt, jeans, a solid-color dress, cardigan or jacket, quality coat, and a versatile skirt. For shoes, have sneakers, boots, and dress shoes that pair well with various outfits. Stick to solid colors that are easy to mix, match, and layer for changing seasons.
Organizing Your New Wardrobe
Once your closet is decluttered and you’ve chosen essential pieces, it’s time to organize your new wardrobe.
- Remodeling cabinets and closet space. Consider adding shelves or a new rail system, so it’s easy to access all of your clothing items quickly. You can use this newfound space to store seasonal décor or other household items, too.
- Use storage for special items. Look for bags and hangers that are specially made for specific items. This will keep each piece protected while leaving them in their own individual compact spaces.
- Cleaning and deodorizing. Before you put your clothes away, clean the floor and walls of your closet to remove dust and debris. You can deodorize your closet and make it smell fresh with essential oils or baking soda so that it smells clean without the use of harmful chemicals.
- Organize by categories. Separate your clothing by category by arranging them by item type, including t-shirts, dresses, and coats. You can also arrange everything by color or size. Whatever way works best for you will be fine, but everything must be in some kind of order to make it neat and tidy.
- Folding tips and tricks. Fold clothing neatly, so it saves space. One easy way is to use the g-fold method, which involves folding your clothing as flat as possible into neat squares. Practice folding your clothing until you find the easiest method to make them wrinkle-free and easy to find.
- Buying or DIYing organizers. Use an organizer to keep small items like socks, bras, and underwear in order. You can find store-bought organizers or make your own by simply creating dividers from sturdy cardboard.
Keeping Your Wardrobe Organized and Minimalistic
Here are some more ways you can keep your capsule wardrobe organized and minimalistic.
- The Reverse Hanger Method. This method will help you “weed out” clothing you no longer wear. First, take all of your items and put them in backward so the open end of the hanger faces you. Then, every time you wear an item, reverse the hanger so that the open end faces away. Finally, after six months, remove the items that are still facing open-ended toward you.
- Marie Kondo Tips. Keep some tips from Marie Kondo in mind when organizing your closet. Start by only keeping the items that spark joy and donating or selling those that don’t. Next, commit to the process of tidying and make it a daily practice. Finally, tidy all of your items by category so you can keep track of the pieces you wear the most.
- Use storage boxes or bags. You might not need all of your capsule wardrobe clothing year-round. Separate items and store them in a nice box or bag based on the season. For example, keep your winter coats in one box and swimsuits in another, so you only need to pull them out when the weather changes.
Let Devon Self Storage Help You Organize
Looking to declutter and get organized? Let Devon Self Storage help you create the perfect space for your belongings. Whether you’re storing seasonal items, business supplies, or extra furniture, our secure, convenient storage solutions make it easy to keep your life in order. With a range of unit sizes and flexible rental options, we have the perfect storage solution to fit your needs. Contact us or give us a call today. Start organizing with Devon Self Storage and enjoy a clutter-free life!